Research suggests that up to 5% of Americans have some type of eating disorder, and many experts believe the figure is much higher. Those suffering with an eating disorder are often able to hide their illness until outward signs result, such as severe weight loss or gain.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, although females have historically been more likely than males to have the problem. However, increased social and cultural pressures have caused a sharp increase in the incidence of eating disorders among young males. A 2007 study at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut discovered that eating disorders rose significantly among American boys between 1995 and 2005. The study, which examined weight control behaviors among high school students, identified a large increase in all forms of weight control behaviors among males, including dieting, the use of diet products, purging, and exercise. Hispanic males were most likely to practice weight control, while white males were least likely.

The researchers also noted that there was a significant increase in dieting among female adolescents. According to the researchers, white females were most likely practice weight control while black females were least likely. The authors of the study suggested that increased weight control behavior in males suggested growing social pressure for males to achieve unrealistic body expectations, which in turn increases the risk of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Investigators felt that males may be less likely to get help because of negative attitudes toward treatment and that these beliefs could hamper their recovery.

What distinguishes men with eating disorders from their female counterparts? For one thing, the diagnostic criteria for anorexia focuses on women, with one of hallmark symptoms being amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) and fear of fatness. Although some men do exhibit a fear of fat, many want to be muscular and attain a low body fat percentage. This causes many men to develop compulsive exercising in addition to an eating disorder.

In terms of cultural influences, men face the same media blitz as women. While women are inundated with unrealistic, stick thin images in magazines, movies, ads and other media outlets, men are faced with pictures of men with muscular physiques, six-pack abs, bulging biceps and lean bodies. This causes the same type of pressure for physical perfection in men as it does in women.

Men tend to be more treatment-resistant because of the stigma of having an eating disorder. Because eating disorders are thought of as a woman’s disease, men might be embarrassed to seek treatment, worried that they’d be seen as less of a man.

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